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Argos Therapeutics Presents Immunosuppression Data for Soluble
CD83 at the American Society of Transplantation Congress 2007
Durham, NC– May. 4, 2007 – Argos Therapeutics today announced the presentation of data
on the immunosuppressive properties of soluble CD83 at the 7th Joint American Transplant
meeting to be held in San Francisco, May 5-9. The presentations will be made in collaboration
with scientists at the University of Western Ontario.
“These data suggest that soluble CD83 is able to extend graft survival in transplantation, and that
it can also act synergistically with other immunosuppressive agents,” commented Dr. Stephen
Brand, Director of Biotherapeutics at Argos Therapeutics. “sCD83 appears to be able to maintain
antigen presenting cells in an immature state, and these immunologically tolerant cells favor
regulatory T-cell generation because they are less effective in activating naïve T and B cells.”
“This emerging activity profile for sCD83, as well as its ability to suppress antibody production
without systemic suppression, may provide advantages over currently available B-cell targeting
therapies,” said Dr. Charles Nicolette, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President of Research
and Development of Argos. “The extended graft survival that we have observed thus far
indicates that sCD83 could potentially provide enhanced organ function, without immune
rejection, and may serve to reduce the toxic profile associated with many commonly used
immunotherapeutic agents. These data support Argos´ plans to conduct additional studies with
CD83 in transplantation and autoimmune models, which will provide important information as
we develop a clinical strategy for this candidate.”
Data will be discussed in the following presentations:
• Abstract #1697: “Soluble CD83 in combination with Rapamycin and anti-CD45RB monoclonal
antibody induces long-term graft survival in a mouse cardiac transplantation model”
• Abstract #116: “Soluble CD83 can inhibit B-cell activation and differentiation”
• Abstract #1035: “Immunosuppressive properties of soluble extracellular domain of CD83 on
antigen-presenting cells of cynomologous monkey”
About Soluble CD83
CD83 is a glycoprotein expressed on the cell surface of mature dendritic cells (DCs), the most
potent stimulators of immune responses. The strong upregulation of this protein during DC
maturation suggests that it plays an important functional role in the induction of immune
responses. Experimental data demonstrate that soluble CD83 can potently down-regulate immune
responses, indicating that it can be developed to treat transplantation rejection and variety of
autoimmune disorders. Importantly, data from animal models demonstrate that soluble CD83
exerts its effects without a requirement for chronic administration and does not leave the subject
globally immunosuppressed. In April 2006, Argos obtained exclusive therapeutic use rights for
CD83 from Beckman Coulter.
About Argos Therapeutics, Inc.
Argos Therapeutics is developing breakthrough immunotherapies that target the unique features
of a patient´s disease. This new generation of personalized cancer and infectious disease
therapeutics, created using the Company´s “Arcelis” technology, trains the immune system to
recognize and attack the disease. Argos´ scientific leadership in RNA-loaded dendritic cells and
advanced manufacturing processes provide a platform to tackle virtually all forms of cancers and
infectious diseases. www.argostherapeutics.com
Argos is a private biotechnology company headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC. The
Company has clinical trial programs in cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and
has an ongoing co-development and commercialization alliance with the Pharmaceutical
Division of Kirin Brewery Company, Limited.
Contacts:
Chris Erdman
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
(508) 647-0209
Jeff Abbey
Argos Therapeutics
(919) 287-6308
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